Folding fluorescent illumination system

ABSTRACT

An illuminator for a hand-held gaming or other electronic device is provided. The illuminator includes at least one light source contained within an enclosure that is rotatably mounted to a bracket. The bracket is rotatably mounted to a member secured to the gaming/electronic device. The bracket and light source enclosure can be rotated into multiple positions during use. During non-use, the bracket and light source enclosure can be rotated into a compact area for ease of transport. A diffuse light source, comprised of the combination of a fluorescent light and a diffuser, minimize ‘hot spots’ on the screen of the gaming/electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/001,929, filed Oct. 23, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates generally to illumination systems forelectronic devices, such as computing, telecommunication and gamingdevices, and is particularly directed to illumination systems forhand-held gaming devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Hand-held electronic devices, such as computing,telecommunication and gaming devices, are enjoying increasingpopularity. Such devices, collectively referred to herein as “gamingdevices”, typically use a non-backlit liquid crystal display (LCD). Thistype of display can be difficult to see in low light conditions. Inorder to overcome this problem, battery powered illuminators that can becoupled to the gaming device have become a popular accessory for suchgaming devices.

[0004] Battery powered illuminators typically use an incandescent bulb,although some use a white or colored light-emitting diode (LED). Forexample, in one such illuminator the light source is coupled to thegaming device by a projecting support or “stalk”. The illuminator'sstalk is positioned above the screen when in use and is folded acrossthe top of the gaming device when not in use. A disadvantage of thisdesign is that the illuminator occupies more space than desired when itis not in use, substantially increasing the overall height of the gamingdevice. As a consequence, the gaming device is not as convenient tocarry. In addition, due to this design's single, non-diffuse lightsource, uneven illumination is provided, typically creating high glare‘hot spots’ on the device's screen.

[0005] In a second prior art illuminator utilizing a stalkconfiguration, the device plugs into an expansion port of the gamingdevice, thereby eliminating the weight associated with a separatebattery. A disadvantage of this approach is the higher battery drainplaced on the gaming device's battery. Additionally, this design stillsuffers from uneven illumination.

[0006] A third type of prior art illuminator includes an integratedmagnification lens mounted over the display with a built-in lightsource. The third type of illuminator still has the drawback of unevenlighting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An illuminator for a hand-held gaming or other electronic deviceis provided. The illuminator includes at least one light source,preferably a fluorescent light source, contained within an enclosurethat is rotatably mounted to a bracket. The bracket is rotatably mountedto a member secured to the gaming/electronic device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, during use the bracketis rotated away from the surface of the gaming/electronic device and thelight source enclosure is rotated away from the bracket. Preferably thebracket and the light source enclosure can each be positioned within arange of positions, thus allowing the user to locate the light in thebest possible location during use. During non-use, the light sourceenclosure is rotated back into the bracket, and the bracket is rotatedback against the bracket mount and the surface of the gaming/electronicdevice.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, glare andillumination ‘hot spots’ are reduced, if not substantially eliminated,from the screen of the gaming/electronic device. In part, this isaccomplished by allowing the light source to be positioned within arange of positions, including off-axis. Additionally, the preferredlight source, a fluorescent light, produces diffuse light. Preferablythe light enclosure interposes a window between the light source and thegaming device, the window further diffusing the light. In at least oneembodiment of the invention, the bracket mounting member masks thescreen of the gaming/electronic device and aids in the reduction ofglare by means of both mounting material characteristics (e.g., color,surface roughness) and geometry (e.g., sloped regions bordering thescreen).

[0010] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of thepresent invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portionsof the specification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the inventionattached to a gaming device, the illuminator positioned for use;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment ofthe illuminator system;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top view of the mounting member of the illuminatorshown in FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting member shown inFIG. 3 along plane A-A;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the illuminator in its fullyopen position;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the illuminator with the lightsource folded, but the light source bracket unfolded;

[0017]FIG. 7 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a lighthousing for use with the illuminator; and

[0018]FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the preferred control circuit forthe fluorescent illumination source used in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0019]FIG. 1 is an illustration of an illuminator 100 in accordance withone embodiment of the invention. As shown, illuminator 100 is attachedto a gaming device 101, such as a Game Boy Advanced™ by Nintendo. It isunderstood that the present invention can also be used with otherdedicated gaming systems such as Game Boy™ as well as personal digitalassistants (PDAs), palm-top computers, and other electronic devices thatmay require external illumination to be useable under adverse lightingconditions. It will be appreciated that minor alterations to the meansused to attach the illuminator to the gaming device may be required inorder to utilize the invention with another device.

[0020] Illuminator 100 is comprised of a mounting member 103, a lighthousing 105, and a pivotable bracket 107. Bracket 107 pivots about pin109, thus allowing the illuminator to be stored against gaming device101 during non-use, and then re-positioned during use. Typically duringuse, bracket 107 is positioned at an angle of 90 degrees or lessrelative to mounting member 103. In a similar fashion, light housing 105is pivotable about pin 111, thus allowing the light transmitted throughlight window 113 to be optimally positioned relative to screen 115 ofdevice 101. During use, preferably light housing 105 is positioned at anangle of more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees relative tobracket 107, and more preferably at an angle of more than 90 degrees butless than 135 degrees relative to bracket 107. In preparation forstorage, light housing 105 is pivoted such that it is flush or close toflush with bracket 107.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of illuminator 100, theillumination system being in a closed position. Accordingly, bracket 107is pivoted about pin 109 such that face 201 of bracket 107 is adjacentto and approximately parallel with the top surface of mounting member103.

[0022] Preferably means are included to insure that once a position hasbeen selected for bracket 107 relative to mounting member 103, it doesnot accidentally move. For example, bracket 107 can be coupled tomounting member 103 via a pair of hinge members 108. If the fit betweenbracket 107 and hinge members 108 is sufficiently tight, friction willprevent accidental movement. Alternately, bracket 107 and hinge members108 can include complementary sets of ridges and grooves orcomplementary sets of tabs and slots that prevent accidental movement.It will be understood that these techniques as well as others are wellknown techniques for maintaining the relative positions of two hingedmembers. Accordingly, further detail will not be provided. It will alsobe understood that these or other techniques can be used to maintain theposition of light housing 105 relative to bracket 107.

[0023]FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred method of couplingilluminator 100 to a gaming device (not shown). FIG. 3 is a top view ofmounting member 103. Note that in order to better illustrate thepreferred coupling method, bracket 107 and light housing 105 are notshown in FIG. 3.

[0024] Attached to the back surface of mounting member 103 is a pair ofcoupling members 203. Protruding from each coupling member 203 is a pin205. When illuminator 100 is attached to a gaming device (not shown),pins 205 are inserted into complementary openings within the body of thegaming device. To insure a secure fit between mounting member 103 andthe gaming device, the body of the gaming device is captured betweensurfaces 207 of coupling members 203 and flange 209. In at least oneembodiment of the invention, flange 209 includes a portion 211 thatcurves under the lower face of the gaming device, thus further securingmounting member 103 to the device. Similarly, in at least oneembodiment, each coupling member 203 includes a flange 212 that curvesunder the lower face of the gaming device adjacent to members 203.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pins 205 arecompressible, thus allowing member 203 to be easily fit to the gamingdevice without requiring that it be bent, bowed, or otherwise deformedduring mounting. Preferably pins 205 are spring loaded, for example bylocating a spring in each coupling member 203 on axis with the pins, thesprings placing the pins under tension. In at least one embodiment, pins205 can be locked into place, thus securing member 103 in place byinsuring that the pins cannot be accidentally retracted, for example bya sudden jolt during game transport. Push button releases (e.g., buttons213) can be used to release or reduce spring tension on pins 205, thusallowing easy coupling and uncoupling of the illuminator from the gamingdevice. If the embodiment allows pins 205 to be lockable, preferablybuttons 213 release the pin locks.

[0026] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the end portion ofeach pin 205 is hooked, thus providing a means of locking the pins andilluminator to the gaming device. Preferably springs are used to insurethat the hooked portions remain in place. In this embodiment, buttons213 are used to apply off-axis pressure to pins 205, thus providing ameans of unhooking the hooked portions from the gaming device andallowing the illuminator to be uncoupled from the gaming device.

[0027] It will be appreciated that other means can be used to coupleilluminator 100 to a gaming device. For example, the number, size andlocation of pins 205 can be altered to match complementary openingswithin the gaming device. Other mounting means may rely solely on thegaming device being held in place between multiple mounting member tabsor brackets. Still other mounting means may utilize straps, preferablyelastic straps.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting member shown inFIG. 3 along plane A-A. Gaming device 101 and gaming device screen 115are shown in phantom. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,mounting member 103 masks the edge of gaming device 101 surroundinggaming device screen 115, thus eliminating reflections from this area ofthe gaming device. Preferably at least this portion of mounting member103 is made of a material of low reflectivity, thus helping to minimizereflections. Also preferably, the edge of member 103 bordering screen115 is sufficiently thick to include a sloped portion 401. Slopedportion 401 helps to further reduce the glare on screen 115. Potentialsources of screen glare include light from illuminator 100 as well asambient light.

[0029]FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of illuminator 100,initially in its fully open position (i.e., FIG. 5), and then with thelight source folded, but the light source bracket unfolded (i.e., FIG.6). Previously described FIG. 2 shows illuminator 100 in the fullyclosed position.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of lighthousing 105. Within light housing 105 is at least one fluorescent lightsource 701, preferably a fluorescent tube approximately 50 millimeterslong. It is understood that more than one fluorescent light source canbe used as well as other sizes. The benefit of using a fluorescent lightsource is that it creates a more diffuse light than either an LED or anincandescent light, thus dramatically reducing ‘hot spots’ on screen115. To further reduce hot spots, window 113 is preferably roughened,frosted, or otherwise treated to further diffuse the light emitted byfluorescent source 701.

[0031] The electronics necessary to control source 701 are preferablyhoused within portion 703 of light housing 701, although it isunderstood that the electronics can be housed in other locations such asportion 117 of bracket 107. Preferably portion 117 houses a batterysupply for source 701. The on/off switch for source 701 is preferablylocated on portion 117 as well.

[0032]FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the preferred control circuit forsource 701. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, thatother circuits can be used to supply power to, and control of, source701. For example, a RangeMAX® controller such as the LX1689 fromMicrosemi can be used.

[0033] As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, the meansby which the illumination system is coupled to the gaming or otherelectronic device, the means by which the illumination source ispositioned relative to the screen of the gaming or other electronicdevice, and the circuit or power source used in conjunction with theillumination source, are not limited to those means and circuitsspecifically disclosed. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptionsherein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scopeof the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminating apparatus for a hand-heldelectronic device, comprising: a mounting member configured to beattached to the hand-held electronic device; a bracket rotatably coupledto said mounting member, the bracket rotatable between a first bracketposition and a second bracket position; a light source enclosurerotatably coupled to said bracket, the light source enclosure rotatablebetween a first light source enclosure position and a second lightsource enclosure position; at least one fluorescent light mounted withinsaid light source enclosure; and a diffuse window mounted to said lightsource enclosure, wherein light emitted from said at least onefluorescent light passes through said diffuse window prior toilluminating the hand-held electronic device.
 2. The illuminatingapparatus of claim 1, wherein a bracket surface is approximatelyperpendicular to a mounting member surface when said bracket ispositioned at said first bracket position.
 3. The illuminating apparatusof claim 2, wherein said bracket surface is approximately parallel tosaid mounting member surface when said bracket is positioned at saidsecond bracket position.
 4. The illuminating apparatus of claim 1,wherein a diffuse window surface is at an angle greater than 90 degreesto a bracket surface when said light source enclosure is positioned atsaid first light source enclosure position.
 5. The illuminatingapparatus of claim 4, wherein said diffuse window surface isapproximately parallel to said bracket surface when said light sourceenclosure is positioned at said second light source enclosure position.6. The illuminating apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting memberincludes an edge portion defining an opening in said mounting member,said opening surrounding a display screen of the hand-held electronicdevice when said mounting member is attached to the hand-held electronicdevice.
 7. The illuminating apparatus of claim 6, wherein said edgeportion of said mounting member masks a reflective surface surroundingsaid display.
 8. The illuminating apparatus of claim 6, wherein an edgecorresponding to said mounting member opening is sloped.
 9. Theilluminating apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting member iscomprised of an electronic device coupler.
 10. The illuminatingapparatus of claim 9, said electronic device coupler including a pair oflocating pins.
 11. The illuminating apparatus of claim 9, saidelectronic device coupler including a pair of locking pins, wherein eachof said locking pins includes a hooked portion.
 12. An illuminatingapparatus for a hand-held electronic device, comprising: a mountingmember configured to be attached to the hand-held electronic device; abracket rotatably coupled to said mounting member, the bracket rotatablebetween a first bracket position and a second bracket position, whereina bracket surface is approximately perpendicular to a mounting membersurface when said bracket is positioned at said first bracket position,and wherein said bracket surface is approximately parallel to saidmounting member surface when said bracket is positioned at said secondbracket position.; a light source enclosure rotatably coupled to saidbracket, the light source enclosure rotatable between a first lightsource enclosure position and a second light source enclosure position,wherein a diffuse window surface is at an angle greater than 90 degreesto a bracket surface when said light source enclosure is positioned atsaid first light source enclosure position, and wherein said diffusewindow surface is approximately parallel to said bracket surface whensaid light source enclosure is positioned at said second light sourceenclosure position; at least one fluorescent light mounted within saidlight source enclosure; and a diffuse window mounted to said lightsource enclosure, wherein light emitted from said at least onefluorescent light passes through said diffuse window prior toilluminating a display screen of the hand-held electronic device.